Rugby Union: Wetherby storm into Yorkshire Silver Trophy final

Ed White

Wetherby rugby club were all smiles as they reached a first county cup final in 20 years.

The Reds extended their imperious winning record in the 2014/15 season to an incredible 23 games by blowing higher league opponents Old Modernians away 34-5 at Grange Park.

The dominant victory took them into the Yorkshire Silver Trophy final where they will face either Northallerton or Whitby.

The second semi-final has yet to be decided due to a fixture backlog, with Northallerton eyeing a trip to Twickenham in the National Junior Vase.

Captain James Gibson said: “Everyone was ecstatic.

“We have all been building up to this game for a number of weeks and to play the way we did, was incredible.

“Mike (McHugh-Hicks, Wetherby’s head coach) said it was the best we have played all season. It was more impressive than any other we have had this season.”

Such praise is a telling statement for a side that has swept all before them this campaign. They have scored more than 1,000 points in Yorkshire Division Four and are now eyeing a remarkable completely perfect season.

Saturday was no different to the season’s free-scoring play, and Wetherby soon dominated a side playing in the league above.

The Reds went into the break 24 points up, with fly-half talisman Connor Sheriden again at the heart of the scoring.

Mods came out fighting in the second half, but Wetherby remained on top and only conceded one last score.

“We absolutely blew them away, everything seemed to be going in our favour,” Gibson added: “It’s amazing to think that four or five years ago we were really struggling, even to the fact we were considering dropping out of the league.

“It’s been a lot of hard work behind the scenes, and now we have managed to get to this ridiculously good season.”

This Saturday, Gibson will lead his men out at local rivals Knaresborough, a side cut adrift at the bottom of the table and set for relegation to Yorkshire Five. Wetherby have scored 194 points against ‘Boro in the two meetings between the sides this campaign.

Gibson added: “It’s hard not to think about going unbeaten after we have gone this far through the season.